City seeks companion for iconic Dallas Zoo giraffe sculpture

City seeks companion for iconic Dallas Zoo giraffe sculpture

There will soon be another piece of public art to join the iconic giraffe sculpture at the Dallas Zoo.
Photo courtesy Dallas Zoological Society/Cathy Burkey

Dallas is getting a little wild with its next public art project. The city is currently looking for artists to help make a piece to complement the Dallas Zoo's iconic giraffe sculpture.

Now through August 8, the Office of Cultural Affairs is accepting applications from qualified artists or artist teams who will participate in the design, fabrication and installation of a work of public art near the entrance of the Dallas Zoo. The work should make visual references to the zoo and its animals and support the zoo’s mission of inspiring passion for nature and conserving wildlife.

The new piece, which needs to be relatively maintenance-free, should also help visitors find the zoo. The artwork will go on a site that is 150 feet by 100 feet, with no height restrictions, so artists seem bound by little but their imaginations.

Qualified artists will have previous experience completing a project of similar size and scope, who have sufficient time to work with everyone involved. Applicants should also be mindful of time and budget constraints. Anyone currently working for the city's public art program, relatives of city employees and undergraduate students are not eligible.

A panel will determine a short list of finalists after the application deadline, and each member of that group of artists will receive a stipend of $3,000 to develop a site-specific concept for the artwork. Design proposals can include drawings, digital renderings or maquettes.

If you think you have what it takes, you're invited to submit a professional resume highlighting relevant previous experience, images with details of previous similar projects, letter of intent stating availability to meet project deadlines and references to CallForEntry.org.

Questions can be answered by e-mailing Drema Chavez at Drema.Chavez@dallascityhall.com.